I have finally gotten my 40 gallon breeder how I want. As far as setup it has a cascade 1500 canister filter, aqua c protein skimmer, cree LED aquarium light with adjustable ballast, 60 lbs of ultra fiji live rock, 60 lbs of pink fiji live sand. As far as live stock I have 2 false percula clowns, 1 6 line wrasse, 1 red stripe high fin goby, 1 white tailed pygmy angel, and 1 fuzzy dwarf lion fish, 15 red leg hermit crabs, 10 snails, and 1 peppermint shirmp. I am eventually wanting to start adding coral. What powerheads would you all recommend or do I need them with my big filter I have...it creates some pretty good current..made to filter 125 gallons. I will get pics soon hopefully. Let me know what you think!

you'll have to do weekly maintenance on the canister filter if you want to run it, (canister filters are considered freshwater technology) 60 lbs of live rock in a 40 gallon IMO is going to crowd up your tank a little, i like to do a lb a gallon of water. livestock is pretty good, but the lion fish wont work that well, its to small of a tank for it, its also a predator so itll prolly eat all crabs and small fish, the protein skimmer is good i have the aqua c remora skimmer and it skims well.

IMO I think you might do ok with 60lb of lr. Might be crowded but it all depends on the look your going for and livestock you plan on keeping.
Agreed that the lion fish will have to go if you plan on keeping inverts. All other livestock will do just fine.
Another option would be to switch the canister filter to a hob filter like an emperor or other. That is how I had my 80g reef set up.
Other than the filter and the lion fish you seem to be reef ready.
You will want to supplement the flow with probably 2- koralia 550 or 2- mj 1200. From personal experience the koralias give you a good wide flow.
Sounds good. Pics would be great.

IMO I think you might do ok with 60lb of lr. Might be crowded but it all depends on the look your going for and livestock you plan on keeping.
Agreed that the lion fish will have to go if you plan on keeping inverts. All other livestock will do just fine.
Another option would be to switch the canister filter to a hob filter like an emperor or other. That is how I had my 80g reef set up.
Other than the filter and the lion fish you seem to be reef ready.
You will want to supplement the flow with probably 2- koralia 550 or 2- mj 1200. From personal experience the koralias give you a good wide flow.
Sounds good. Pics would be great.

Ok I will def look into the power heads. I was wondering which ones would be good to go with. Thanks!!

My canister filter causes a pretty good water movement now so will the power heads be to much? My filter is rated for a 125 gallon tank.

For now I think you'll be fine. If there is the flow that you say. I would definitely look into new filtration if you decide to go with a reef. Also vortec pumps are awesome. They are on the pricey side though.